“Aaliyah” [ft. Jessie Ware]

Most tributes to Aaliyah that come from the UK bass scene-- be they remixes or homages-- rarely, if ever, improve on the real thing. On "Aaliyah," Katy B and Jessie Ware break down those expectations. The Aaliyah here is another girl on the dancefloor, one whose aura is so magnetic that that the two find themselves helpless: "Aaliyah, please/ This is green envy/ Why must you taunt me, girl?" Aaliyah, the singer, is referenced as a presence-- not as a legendary R&B singer, but as the idea of something seemingly tangible but untouchable, so transfixing that it actually makes you envious and determined. That’s exactly what Aaliyah was, too, and it’s the one thing that Aaliyah revivalism often overlooks. It was her grounded mysticism that helped make her music so good, not just the production style or her vocals. It’s no surprise that Katy and Jessie would think to tease that out.